So, you’re bringing home a new furry family member. Congratulations! This is a fascinating time that you may want to share with as many friends and family as possible. This is where the puppy shower comes in.
A puppy shower is a fun activity where you can introduce your new dog to the people they know and love. It’s also an excellent opportunity for your puppy to get some valuable socialization.
Puppyhood is a critical developmental stage. The social skills will continue into adulthood and help prevent aggression, anxiety, and unwanted behaviors later in life. So a puppy bath may not just be fun-it may be a learning opportunity!
Of course, any good party starts with an invitation. You already have some decisions to make. Who are you inviting? Where are you gathering? What kind of invitation do you extend? Fortunately, we have some tips to help you make these decisions and create the perfect invitation.
Here are a few things you should consider when inviting your puppy to a shower.
Check out online invitations.
Whether you’re hosting a puppy shower for someone else or a new member of your family, an easy option is to send online invitations. Not only do they save time and money, but they’re also earth-friendly!
Instead of spending time and money on stamps and envelopes, you can email them, and your guests will receive them immediately.
There are tons of online sites that allow you to create your event invitations. evite and Punchbowl are two of the most popular sites for making invitations.
You may have difficulty finding templates specifically for puppy showers, but most cards are customizable. You can add your personal touch in any way you like! Then, send them to the people in your email contacts and wait for them to respond.
Another option is to create an event on Facebook. After adding all the details, you can invite anyone to your friend’s list. This is a straightforward way to promote the word.
Keep in mind that some people don’t have Facebook, and some don’t check their notifications or replies in time. That’s why it’s best to send email invitations and Facebook invitations to cover your bases.
Costume Investment
Get your dog dressed up, and a Kuoser tuxedo will make your dog stand out. It has a cute bow tie. It’s available in various sizes, from extra small to extra-large, so that you can find the perfect fit for your furry friend.
Location: Party Location
Many doggy daycares allow you to rent out their space to host a party, or you can host a puppy shower in your own home. If you are inviting other puppies and dogs, you may want to rent a venue or use your backyard with less for your puppy to destroy.
Remember that until your puppies are about four months old with vaccinations, they are susceptible to dog diseases, even if they are sniffing the area where unvaccinated dogs are. Make sure the rented venue is clean and well kept, or stay at home where the resident dogs are kept up to date at the time of the shoot.
Always supervise playtime between dogs, even if they are well behaved and socialized. You never know when to interrupt rough play or provide first aid for a husky pup. If you choose to host a party in your backyard, fence it off.
Guest List
If you invite other dogs, specify that only healthy dogs who are up-to-date on their shots should attend, as your puppy is still susceptible to disease until about four months of age. Adult dogs should also be the calm, well-behaved type so that your puppy is not intimidated by older boys and girls.
This is an excellent opportunity for your puppy to socialize with new humans and new dogs, so you will want it to be a positive experience. Human guests should know that their dog needs to be controlled and gentle with the new puppy.
Of course, invite people and pets that your dog will see regularly. This will help them become familiar and comfortable in the future.
Timing
Puppies have short attention spans and often fall from naps. Keep the organized part of the party to about an hour. If guests want to hang out and chat after the puppy has gone to sleep, that’s perfect.
Make sure your puppy has a safe space where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed. Have some healthy snacks on hand as a reward for your dog—for example, dogs like peanut butter.
Making new friends and dogs, being passed around, and engaging in vigorous play activities will make any dog feel sleepy. Keep this in mind, and don’t push your puppy too hard.
Have you bathed your puppy before? What advice do you have for first-time party-goers? Let us know in the comments below!